When the recently transitioned Jake heads to the rural town Sweet Milk to reconnect with his dying father, he is mistaken for his cis twin brother, Sam (writer-director Harvey Zielinski). Both privileges and a chasm of doubt open, enveloping Jake and those he loves in this emotionally rich tribute to living your truth.

2026
Sweet Milk Lake
Sweet Milk Lake
Director
Runtime
94 Minutes
Country
Australia
Classification
MA 15+
Star of stage and screen Harvey Zielinski turns in a remarkable performance as twin brothers, the cis Sam and trans Jake, in his astonishingly layered feature debut as writer, director, star and producer. Jake is spinning out in Melbourne clubs where his transness seems to take precedence over his humanity, so it’s a relief to jump on a bus and head back to Sweet Milk, the country town where he grew up, to mend bridges with his estranged and ailing dad, Lee (Kieran Darcy-Smith). But when Lee mistakes Jake for Sam, the newfound privileges offered by temporarily donning this mask are flanked by possible pitfalls. Sure, his dad’s suddenly much closer, as is joyously queer First Nations lad Toby (The Sapphires star Hunter Page-Lochard). But it also brings danger, in the unpredictable form of Sam’s vikings and archery-loving former schoolmate, Mark (David Howell). Nominated for the MIFF Bright Horizons Award and CinefestOZ Film Prize, Zielinski’s remarkable debut announces an exhilarating new Australian voice.
“Harvey Zielinski’s handsomely textured directorial debut … has the storytelling chops to shape that uncertainty into compelling, well-paced, rewarding drama.”
The Guardian
“A cracker of a set-up … Sweet Milk Lake is a timely reminder to hold onto you, no matter what, because the cost of transforming for someone else is never worth it.”
ScreenHub
“Raw, heartfelt and quietly humorous, Sweet Milk Lake explores the longing to be accepted, understood and the complexity of family relationships.”
FilmInk
Melbourne
CinefestOZ - Winner Film Prize
Film Credits
Director
Harvey Zielinski
Year
2026
Country
Australia
Language
English
Type
Feature Fiction
Program Strand
Australian Independents
Producer
Harvey Zielinski, Philippa Campey & Molly O'Connor
Writer
Harvey Zielinski
Cinematographer
Michael Lincoln
Editor
Maria Papoutsis
Cast
Belinda McClory, David Howell, Harvey Zielinski, Hunter Page-Lochard, Kieran Darcy-Smith, Mia Morrissey, Ngaire Pigram & Nic Cassim
Music
Chiara Costanza
Genre
Drama, First Nations, LGBTQIA+ & Romance
